Meth charges lodged in Pendleton raid

Evidence of a meth lab was discovered last week in Northampton County and three people have been arrested, according to a statement released by Sheriff Jack Smith today.

The execution of a search warrant led to the seizure by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation equipment and substances consistent with methamphetamine from the Pineridge Lane residence of Lawrence Grant in Pendleton, Smith said in the statement.

The residence has been a target of Northampton County law enforcement for several years, said Lieutenant Mike Sledge of the sheriff’s office.

Investigation of the residence goes back to at least 2014 when alleged evidence of meth production using a shake and bake soda bottle method was discovered.

The raid of the residence last Thursday was the result of follow-ups on drug complaints, Smith said.

The investigation was a combined effort of the Down East Drug Task Force, the SBI and sheriff’s office.

Speaking with the people at the residence, agents discovered inside what appeared to be a working meth lab.

Agents secured the residence and applied for a search warrant.

The SBI Clandestine Lab Team responded to remove the hazardous material from the residence.

Sledge said Grant is Beaumont’s father and Tomlin is Beaumont’s girlfriend.

They face charges of felony manufacture methamphetamine, felony possession with intent to manufacture precursor and maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance.

Precursor is items used in the manufacture of meth.

They were initially given $150,000 bonds. They had first appearances Tuesday, according to state court records, but no information on their next court dates was immediately available.

Smith commended the work of all agencies involved and the sheriffs of Hertford and Bertie counties. “This is a prime example when all three counties come together and remove dangerous citizens like this and keep all citizens safe.”